ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Outspoken senators who are usually critical of government policies have urged people and the media to play what they view as a crucial role in monitoring and examining the single-party administration of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The prospect of single-party rule has raised fears among senators who believe the government's absolute power could make it more difficult for the Senate and independent bodies under the charter to probe the government.

Bangkok Sen Chirmsak Pinthong said he was very concerned and wanted the public and media to work harder to play a leading role in monitoring and scrutinising the government.

The people and media should cooperate closely with some senate committees that are still independent of the government, to help disclose any irregularities within the administration, he said.

Furthermore, technocrats and civil servants who have information on the new government's administrative irregularities should supply this information to the people and media.

Mr Chirmsak said some policies needed to be scrutinised as soon as the new administration takes the helm.

These were policies related to foreign economic cooperation and drafting legislation and regulations that would only benefit the government's close aides and ministers as in the past, he said.

"If the public and media lack sufficient strength to keep a close watch on the new government, I believe there will be a new trend of rumour which could lead to violence and chaos," he said.

Sen Chirmsak also said that over the past four years the public has been unable to place its hopes with the Senate and most independent bodies of the charter to fully monitor and examine the workings of Mr Thaksin's first administration.

This was because the last government had abused its power to interfere in the agencies' workings. He said such interference had undermined an effective checks-and-balance mechanism.

Ubon Ratchathani Senator Niran Pithakwatchara, chairman of an independent senate committee on social development and human security, said his panel's job would now become more difficult